Washington, October 30 (ANI): Soda consumption, TV and video/computer games, and the frequency of meals heavily influence students' weight, according to a new study.
More soda consumption and screen time meant students were more likely to be overweight or to gain weight, the researcher said.
The more frequently students ate meals each day, the less likely they were to stay overweight or gain weight during an Indiana University study that examined the impact of a school-based obesity intervention program over an 18-month period.
"Predictors for Persistent Overweight, Deteriorated Weight and Improved Weight Status During 18 Months in a School-Based Longitudinal Cohort" involved 5,309 students at 11 schools.
Dong-Chul Seo, associate professor in the IU School of Public Health-Bloomington, said the findings confirm the connection between higher levels of soda consumption and persistent overweight and deteriorating weight status.
"Thus, encouraging students to maintain a regular meal pattern with at least three meals a day appears to be a good strategy to help students achieve healthy weight," Seo said. (ANI)